If you are new to the world of wrestling it can be a confusing one to navigate with new terms, rules unlike any other sport and a totally different community. Here is a quick glance and a few of the basic concepts.
Wrestlers will compete by weight class the weight classes are as follows
77, 84, 91, 98, 105, 110, 115,120, 125, 131, 138, 145, 152, 170, 190, 210, 265 pounds. You must weigh at or under the weight class to be able to wrestle at that weight class.
A wrestling match consist of three periods and overtime if needed. Wrestling starts in the neutral position (both standing). The ultimate goal in a wrestling match is to achieve a fall also known as a pin. A fall is when “any part of both shoulders or both scapula of either wrestler are in contact with the mat for two seconds… the shoulders or scapula must be held in continuous contact with the mat.” If a wrestler achieves a fall they win and the match ends.
Barring a fall the entirety of the match is wrestled and points are awarded according to certain criteria
Takedown- 2pts- when a wrestler takes another to the mat and establishes control beyond reaction time
Reversal- 2pts- when a wrestler on bottom reverses the position and establishes control beyond reaction time
Escape- 1pt- when a wrestler who is on bottom escapes control and establishes a neutral position beyond reaction time.
Near-fall- 2 or 3pts- when a wrestler puts another wrester on his back in danger of being pinned and holds him in this position near fall points are awarded. 2pts for 2seconds and 3 pts for 5 seconds and beyond.
Penalty 1,2,DQ- when a wrestler commits an infraction be it an illegal hold, slam or maneuver the other competitor is award points. 1 point for the first and second infraction two points for the third and an automatic disqualification for anything after that.
Stalling- W,1,2,DQ- Each wrestler is required to stay inside the circle, and wrestle aggressively regardless of score, position or time in the match. When the referee determines a wrestler is not doing so the first time is a warning. The second and third time 1 point is awarded to the other competitor. The third time two points are awarded and the fifth time is an automatic disqualification.
Flagrant misconduct-DQ- some actions such as but not limited to striking an opponent or biting results in an automatic disqualification and a loss of team points.
Potentially dangerous- when certain things put a wrestler in danger of being injured, the referee will stop the match, as long as there was no misconduct, no points will be awarded and they will return to the center and begin wrestling.
Team Score
Along with individual scoring, team scores are kept for dual meets and tournaments. In a dual meet the following scoring is used based of the individual matches.
Decision-3pts- when a wrestler wins by points only a decision is awarded
Major decision-4pts- when a wrestler wins by 8 or more points a major decision is awarded
Technical Fall-5pts- when a wrestler is up 15 or more points the match is ended and a tech-fall is awarded
Fall-6pts- when a wrestler achieves a fall (pins his opponent) a fall is awarded
Default-6pts-when there is no wrestler in the weight class, the wrestler leaves, or doesn’t appear to the match a default is awarded.
Misconduct- when a coach, wrestler, spectator or a member of the team commits misconduct, the referees can remove the offender and remove points from the team.
This is of course a brief overview of the most important things you will encounter during the season. We are available to answer any questions you may have.
